Sugashima Island
A serene island escape featuring a historic lighthouse and charming fishing village, perfect for a peaceful day trip.
Highlights
Must-see attractions
Social
From TikTok & Reddit
Best Time
Maximize daylight for exploration
Sugashima Island
Best Time
Maximize daylight for exploration
Highlights
Must-see attractions
A serene island escape featuring a historic lighthouse and charming fishing village, perfect for a peaceful day trip.
"A scenic island with a historic lighthouse, offering a compact and tranquil escape."
Check Ferry Times
Ferries run every 1.5-2 hours. Don't miss the last one back! ⛴️
Wear Sturdy Shoes
Inland trails can be slippery and rough. Good footwear is essential for hiking. :athletic_shoe:
Quick Facts
Rating
4.3 · 31 reviews
Type
Natural Feature
Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences
Sugashima Lighthouse
Northeastern part of the island
Iconic 1870s brick lighthouse, a symbol of the island and a testament to lighthouse engineering history.
Shirongo Beach
Near the port
A pleasant beach offering a relaxing atmosphere and scenic views, perfect for a leisurely stroll.
Mt. Daisen (Mt. Oyama)
Island's highest point
Hike to the summit for panoramic island views, though trails can be steep and overgrown.
Plans like a pro.
Thinks like you
Planning Your Visit
Ferry Schedules & Island Exploration
Hiking & Lighthouse Access
Best Times
Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
Planning a trip to Indonesia what is must-see?
I'm going to school in Chongqing China, but I'll be visiting friends in Indonesia for a few weeks. What can't I miss?
Check Ferry Times
Ferries run every 1.5-2 hours. Don't miss the last one back! ⛴️
Wear Sturdy Shoes
Inland trails can be slippery and rough. Good footwear is essential for hiking. :athletic_shoe:
Which inhabited inland islands with infrastructure do you know?
It fascinates me that people choose to live on an island that is in a lake, with all the advantages and disadvantages that entails. which islands do you know where there is at least a village community and infrastructure? (my example Monte Isola in Italy with several villages)
Taal island is an island, in a lake, on an island, in a lake, on an island, in the sea
This place is awesome, would highly recommend visiting if you're in the Philippines
Prepare for Limited Signage
Signposts can be in Japanese or hard to read. GPS might be unreliable inland. :iphone:
Half-Day Exploration
The island is compact; a half-day trip is often sufficient for key sights. :clock1:
Tips
from all over the internet
Check Ferry Times
Ferries run every 1.5-2 hours. Don't miss the last one back! ⛴️
Wear Sturdy Shoes
Inland trails can be slippery and rough. Good footwear is essential for hiking. :athletic_shoe:
Prepare for Limited Signage
Signposts can be in Japanese or hard to read. GPS might be unreliable inland. :iphone:
Half-Day Exploration
The island is compact; a half-day trip is often sufficient for key sights. :clock1:
Fishing Village Charm
Enjoy the authentic atmosphere of a traditional Japanese fishing village. :fishingpoleand_வத:
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
Sugashima Island is praised for its scenic beauty, historic lighthouse, and tranquil fishing village atmosphere, offering a compact and accessible day trip. However, some visitors find inland hiking trails challenging and poorly marked, requiring careful preparation and awareness of conditions.
"a scenic island which can be accessed in 15 mins by ferry from the Toba Marine terminal near the Toba station. One can walk around the whole island in like 3-4 hours, however I am not sure if the entire route is easy to wal. I started from the port and went to Shirongo beach and the lighthouse. From there I wanted to go to Mt.Oyama the highest point in the island. The routes after that were no longer concrete but just soil and vegetation. After a while the route became more confusing, and at some places a bit slippery. After a certain point the signs boards were all in japanese (I can't read sadly) and gps ain't that good there. Since it was getting dark, I decided to quit the plan and head back to the port. However if you want to go the Mt. Oyama it seems you can go there directly from the port side via the vehicle route."
Maharshi Ray
"The second largest remote island in the Shima Islands after Toshijima. You can cross from Toba Marine Terminal. Regular boats run every 1.5 to 2 hours starting in the morning. The one-way fare is 510 yen per adult.
General sightseeing is mostly in the northeastern part of the island, centered around the Sugashima Lighthouse. Other than that, it's just trekking on Mt. Daisen, the highest peak on the island.
The villages are concentrated near Sugashima Port and have an atmosphere typical of fishing villages. There are also guesthouses and shops scattered throughout the area. There are no signs of people living anywhere else.
There are other small beaches. The lighthouse and the Rongo Festival seem to be the main sightseeing spots. I think it would be nice to take a leisurely walk around and enjoy the unique atmosphere of a remote island."
Ar Kn
"From the ferry terminal, we walked along the Kinki Nature Trail and enjoyed the 236m trail to the island's symbol, Sugashima Lighthouse, and the island's highest point, Mt. Daisen.
Sugashima Lighthouse is a brick lighthouse designed by Richard Henry Planton, known as the ``father of lighthouses,'' and Takamori Saigo was also present at the completion ceremony. It is said to be the oldest brick lighthouse, and Sugashima Elementary School also adopted the lighthouse shape.
From the lighthouse, we walked along the promenade to the summit of Mt. Daisen, but the path became narrow and steep along the way. Although it was raining lightly and we couldn't get a good view, we were able to fully enjoy the nature walk that is unique to the island."
4M-2M
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
🚇 🗺️ Getting There
You can reach Sugashima Island by ferry from the Toba Marine Terminal. Ferries operate approximately every 1.5 to 2 hours, starting in the morning. The one-way fare is 510 yen per adult.
Ferries typically run every 1.5 to 2 hours throughout the day, starting from the morning. It's advisable to check the latest schedule upon arrival at the terminal to plan your visit effectively.
The island is compact and can be walked around in about 3-4 hours. However, inland trails can be challenging, so stick to main paths or consider the vehicle route for Mt. Oyama.
No, Sugashima Island is only accessible by ferry. Cars are not typically brought over for general tourism.
The Toba Marine Terminal is located near Toba Station, making it convenient for travelers arriving by train.
🎫 🎫 Tickets & Entry
Tickets for the ferry to Sugashima Island can be purchased at the Toba Marine Terminal on the day of travel. Advance booking is generally not required.
The one-way ferry fare for an adult to Sugashima Island is 510 yen. Prices may vary slightly, so confirm at the terminal.
There are no specific entrance fees for the Sugashima Lighthouse or Mt. Daisen. The primary cost is the ferry ticket.
Ferries generally start running in the morning and continue throughout the day at intervals of 1.5 to 2 hours. The last ferry back to the mainland should be confirmed.
No, the Sugashima Lighthouse itself does not have an admission fee. You can view it from the outside and explore the surrounding area.
🎫 🧭 Onsite Experience
The main attractions include the historic Sugashima Lighthouse, Shirongo Beach, and the summit of Mt. Daisen for panoramic views. The island also offers a glimpse into traditional fishing village life.
Yes, it's possible to hike Mt. Oyama, the island's highest point. However, be aware that trails can become narrow, steep, slippery, and poorly marked beyond certain points.
Walking is the primary way to explore. You can circumnavigate the island in about 3-4 hours, but be prepared for varied trail conditions, especially if venturing off the main paths.
The summit of Mt. Daisen offers the best panoramic views of the island and surrounding waters, weather permitting. The area around the lighthouse also provides scenic vistas.
Expect a tranquil atmosphere typical of a remote Japanese fishing village, with a focus on the sea and local life. It's a place for a relaxed, nature-focused visit.
📸 📸 Photography
The Sugashima Lighthouse is a prime subject. Shirongo Beach offers coastal shots, and the summit of Mt. Daisen provides panoramic island and sea views. Capture the charm of the fishing village too.
Yes, the lighthouse is easily accessible and offers great photo opportunities from various angles. Its historic brick structure is very photogenic.
Mornings and late afternoons often provide softer light for photography. Consider the ferry schedule to maximize your time for capturing scenic shots.
Absolutely. The coastal scenery, the lighthouse, and the views from Mt. Daisen offer excellent opportunities for landscape photography.
Generally, there are no specific restrictions on photography for personal use. Be respectful of any private property or local customs.
Social
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit